The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1887-03-30

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trees and overgrown foliage, and was IN
habired by the eccentric widow Of one oi
the former magnates Of the place. She
was known to be rich, penurious, and to
hold skeptieaI views concerning the value
Of banks and the integrity Of servants
Accordingly she sent the latter away al
dArS, after which she barricaded the
house in ways peculiarly feminine
Abram watched the dark spot move up
ward, and perceived that the upper win
dow, over an oyerhanging balcony. was
open.
Burglars two Of them. They got Up
I by the climbers
Abram bounded up the wall and over
the hedge. A. the thief disappeared
/ through the window, Abram began the
eat-like ascent Of the wall BIZ means Of
the tangled wisteria branches. holding
/ bis torch tightly grasped under his arm
+ When he reached the window he swung
( himself over on TO the balcony and into
the room. He heard the stealthy steps
+ Of man in front Of him. and then wo-
mans smothered screams.
Sufe her, god clumsy brute You're
not TT to wait on WOMEN
/ CuTsing a. he stumbled over the vari-
7 Gus articles Of furniture that had been
| dragged out into the middle Of the floor,
Z the man crossed the hall into a room 0p-
I posite-
I Abam followed him swiftly, and as he
entered the door with one blow Of the
+ torch struck him down. The thief fell
7 against his partner, who was endeayor-
. ing 20 gao the woman. and in the shock
( ali three fell 70 the dOor Abram sprang
/ upon them. He wa> a tall. angular uian,
buf in ais youth 1.-the and active. His
( long arms and Ie,s were still supple. and
I he wound them now around the str5Ig-
I Cling men ike a black-snake around It's
( prey
The woman perceived in this new force
an ally, and rezlined her courage
~Ibeg your pardon, ma am, if I've got
I you in any place but creep out if YOU
can, and scream your purciest," Abram
managed To say.
The two men beneath him fell face %
face. The under man was partly held by
the weight Of the upper, and the other
was literally pinioned, hands and arms
by Abrams peculiar structure His feet
acted as hooks 70 keep his legs IN place.
that were twined around the various legs
beneath. His arms wound around the
upper man, crossed ami cluiehed Ike
. claws Of steel to hold him down.
Collie, slip your halt,i into your poek-
et and get your knife.
Do II yourself, and preety quick, too
That screech owl there. i raising the
town
The sounds that went UP and down
street from the window might indeed
make the heart of the stoutesJ burglar
quail Presently the rattle Of the police
and the sounds Of rapid feet were heard
Can YOU hold on while ] slip down
and unbolt the door the woman asked
4bram did not speak while he bad
strength 70 cling. he had no strength q
waste on words.
The men now wrigsled violently be-
meath him in one last effort to free them
selves. and Abram gathered his strength
together 10 tighten anew his clasp. He
( hal reached the last limit Of his force. be
knew. II seemed 20 him hours. bul II
. was scarcely seconds, until the policeman
rushed into the room and threw light
on the animate heap before them.
Well surrender. cop, if you'll take
this boa-constrictor of said the man
called Collie
The men were handeutfed. and Abram
got 10 and staggered againSt the wall In
his blue eyes q fierce light shone, but
every muscle was limp. The policeman
looked at him curiously as he sank into a
chair.
Boys. Is this a riyale How did he
come here ."
Say. old por5us-psaster, who invited
your asked the younger man. Collie
Abram started Where's nay torch
must 20 I'm behindhand tonight"
Torch That's what he Hoored me
with. The two burglars nodded.
You are the amp-lishter?~ asked one
IF the police.
Abram nodded
-Well. 1 guess you'd better wait for the
sun now. and - with Us
Abram made another effort % get up,
and sank down again with 3 smile
Something inside Of NE seems % have
got unhitched. Can't YOU get along with
out ME tonight, cop he asked. very
family.
You 10 seem 70 eD%oeat out the Po-
Iicemau answered, and taking bis name
and address. the two went of with their
captiyes. When the rescued widow ~
turned from seeing the burglars safely
out Of the IGOR, Abram WIS still sitting
where they had LETT him
You must be wanting 10 get the house
quiet. ma al be said, IL he got up. and
holding on 70 the chairs and door. made
his way 10 the stairs.
The woman was stil too dazed 10 re
cover her speech. but As she followed
him, holding a candle above her head,
she ,aid. - Well. declare, you are the
most enduring man ever saw in my
life
Abram made his way home slowly.
He felt no pain, only an inability to
move his body. The day was breaking
when he reached bone. Araminta. com
ing our 10 sweep the front steps, found
him leaning against the door, speechl,-ss.
Oh. Mr. wilkins. you've been and 1t
it again What'H she say27
Abram opened his ewes.
I'm get you in. if its the last thing !
ever do in this life Backslidin's and
faIIin's from grace Is the lot Of mortals
here below"
Shortly after, ring Al the door called
Araminta, and her mistress was aston
ished to hear her say that Mr. Wilkins
( bad gone to the butchers and from there
10 buy feed for the horses. and he said
something about stopping at the Ex-
+ change 10 learn how wheat was going
m